The Ballad of Lester Moore Pt1 – The Ballad of Lester Moore
Hello there and welcome to part one of my latest project, entitled The Ballad of Lester Moore. Each part will be the lyrics of a new song for this latest project. As my studio is not currently up and running, I will be focussing on songwriting and so therefore decided to post up my progress. I will start with the lyrics to the latest song, and afterwards explain a bit about it or where the project is currently at. So, here we go on the journey with the opening song….The Ballad of Lester Moore.
The Ballad of Lester Moore
Here lies Lester Moore
Four slugs from a .44
He’ll sleep forever more
No less, no more
He lies buried beneath the ground
The only way to keep ol’ Lester Down
He’ll ride out no more
No less, no more
He sailed out to Plymouth Rock
Killed his first man on the dock
He came ashore
No less, no more
Running money for Boston Brown
Until word had got around
He was wanted by the law
No less, no more
Lester decided it was time to flee
Went down to Tennessee
He arrived in Jonesborough
No less, no more
He dealt faro at the Eureka Inn
Killing a man there was no sin
We all knew the score
No less, no more
There worked young Katie Hayes
Who fell in with his wicked ways
She became his whore
No less, no more
Then just as a cruel twist of fate
He joined up, became a Confederate
Gentlemen, we’re at war
No less, no more
He left the game at table eight
Said goodbye to his beloved Kate
Into the breach once more
No less, no more
Riding in Forrest’s Cavalry Corps
Charging into blood, bodies and gore
Death was all they ever saw
No less, no more
He got his fill at Wilson’s Raid
Couldn’t take blood for what they paid
Men died by the score
No less, no more
He deserted and travelled to Tombstone town
Got a job and settled down
Became a clerk in a store
No less, no more
One day Dunstan came through that door
In his hand was a .44
Death came knocking at his door
No less, no more
The two men faced off across the floor
We heard the shots, numbering four
Les was slower on the draw
No less, no more
Here lies Lester Moore
Four slugs from a .44
He sleeps here forever more
No Les, no Moore
Words & music © Copyright 2011 Jamie McPherson September 2011
So….that is The Ballad of Lester Moore. The idea came to me while I was searching the net. I came across his epitaph that read “Here lies Lester Moore, four slugs from a .44, No Les, no Moore”. This just captured me straight away and I saw a song in it. I did some research into Lester Moore, and all we know is that he was a clerk in a store who was shot by a man called Hank Dunstan over an argument about a crushed package Dunstan had received in the post.
I thought as very little is known about this man, I could create a life for him. So, I let my mind wander and invented this story for Lester. It needed a beginning, so I had him emigrate to the US on the Eastern seaboard. I had to create pivotal moments in his life to show his descent into a world of death and murder, a turning point where he leaves it all behind, and then that fateful day with Dunstan. I wanted to stay true to the period, so lucky the history buff in me got to do a bit of research into names, places and events true to that period. Songwriter/history buff heaven 🙂
Alongside of his personal journey, I gave him a physical journey too. I always think that a sense of place always co-exists with the events in one’s life. I wanted him to start in an urban/city environment, and gradually move down South and then West to Tombstone.
Some interesting points of note. Yes, there was a Eureka Inn in Jonesborough during that period. Also, Forrest’s Cavalry Corpse did exist and take part in Wilson’s Raid. It always helps to have a good smattering of truth in the stories you make up.
I chose the name Katie Hayes for his love interest because I found it a sympathetic name. I wanted her to be more than a love interest. She needed to be a victim of his corrupted life.
And then of course, there is that fateful day with Hank Dunstan.
The song is a nice simple ballad in 3/4 time. I’ve played it a few times at gigs and it’s gone down very well.
When I had completed writing the song, I re-read the lyrics and found that there was a much bigger story in this. I read through it all and went “There is a song there…there is a song there…”. So, I decided that this will be the cornerstone of my latest project. A sort of musical narrative if you will, telling the story of Lester Moore as I have created it.
I am looking forward to this musical journey, and am very excited about this project. And I am just itching to record these songs and get it all together. And who knows, maybe I can persuade some of my very dear and talented friends to take part in the recordings. We’ll see.
So, that is the first installment of The Ballad of Lester Moore.
Part two will be ‘The Wandering Jew’
Beannachd leibh,
Jamie
Musings of Jamie McPherson 
December 12, 2011 at 10:18 am
I am always fascinated Jamie by how the creative process works for other people.
And always fascinated by how a particular creative process takes on a life of its own and then drives us rather than the other way round 🙂
I am delighted by this and so pleased that you are informing us of the process as it goes along.
I will very much look forward to the completed result. and just as much look forward to accompanying you on this journey.
My very best wishes to you my friend
David
December 13, 2011 at 7:49 am
Hi David,
Thank you very much my friend for dropping by and having a read and taking the time out to comment.
Yes, we are all different in our creative paths and the process is very much an individual one. I do find it is something I can not push, but comes to me in those quiet moments when I am out walking along the river at home or the creek out the back of work in Mount Barker. Good Australian scenery is always good to inspire the soul. Tikarma bought me a lovely little notebook for my last birthday so I can jot down lines and phrases as they come to me. It’s come in very handy for those moments I’ve jumped out of bed at 3am. These lines came to me surfing the net and then a good long walk along the creek.
I am glad you are delighted about reading my creative process. I find that it is good for myself in writing these processes as it helps get me into good creative practices. It also is a good way to keep me fired up in what will be a very long term process.
Thank you for all your interest and support, and hopefully the next song won’t be too far away 🙂
Beannachd leat my friend,
Jamie
December 15, 2011 at 10:56 am
This sounds interesting. 🙂 i hope to hear it. 🙂
December 30, 2011 at 9:12 am
Thank you. Hopefully it won’t be too long now 🙂
December 29, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Hi Jamie,
It is so good to see you being creative despite the obstalces in your way. I’m quite sure this journey into Lester Moore’s life as you discover it will be an interesting journey.
It’s always interesting to me to see where others draw their inspirations from and how they change and mold those indeas into something which is uniquely their own. 🙂
I’m looking forward to the time you are able to start putting your song to music. In the meantime learning how you are working creatively and watching you put so much effort into your work is just as interesting.
This journey I know is going to be very different for you and I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how this story reveals itself through a medium of songwriting and music.
All my best wishes to you! May the New Calendar year bring you much creativity, inspiration and energy and may success follow you in all you undertake.
Yours always in love and with much pride!
❤
Tikarma
xoxoxox
December 30, 2011 at 9:39 am
Hi Tikarma,
Thank you for your lovely comment and for all your support and encouragement 🙂
Yes, this will be an interesting project as the story is already told now by the first song, and now I have to discouver the finer details of his life as I write each song. A very different way of approaching it for me, yet it will be a good challenge. Yes, it is a bit hard not being able to run to the studio every time a song is finished as I love to do, but hopefully, it will keep me concentrated on songwriting.
The creative process is very different for everyone and this is a bit of a step out of my comfort zone, but I am very excited about it, so hopefully it should be a brilliant experience. I’ve just have to keep finding that inspiration in all those strange places 🙂
I’m glad you are looking forward to the outcome. I can safely say “Me too!” as some of it is floating around in that noggin, but most of it is yet to be discouvered 🙂
My best wishes for you too in 2012. May it be the year of art for us!
Thank you for all of your love & support. It means the world to me.
With all the love in my heart, always and forever yours,
Jamie
♥♥♥
December 30, 2011 at 9:40 am
ps. A whole lot of pride in you too baby! You’re just brilliant! ♥
December 30, 2011 at 11:43 pm
I think the step out of your comfort zone will be good for you. Each album requires a different mindset as each album is a story and journey unto itself.
As you said you need to discover the finer details in the story and in some ways there is a different approach as well to the songwriting. Not getting distracted by all the bells and whistles of the studio will help keep your mind focused on the sotry at hand if that makes sense.
Indeed may it be a year of art! 🙂
Your in love always.
❤
Tikarma
xoxoxox
December 31, 2011 at 11:06 am
Yes, I totally agree with you Tikarma 🙂 I’m looking forward to it. It should be a fun journey :-).
Should be a great year of art! 🙂
Always yours forever,
Jamie
♥